Issue for January 23, 2025
Vassalboro scouts to be honored on Scout Sunday
Members of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) will honor the Vassalboro BSA Scouting Troop #410 and Pack #410 and their Scoutmasters at 10 a.m., on Scouts Sunday, February 2. “We want to commend our Vassalboro Scouts for their outstanding community service and good deeds,” said VUMC’s Pastor Karen Merrill. “We hope that former Scouts and leaders will also plan to attend.” A reception will follow in the VUMC fellowship hall. Family members are also invited and encouraged to attend… by Dale Potter-Clark
Town News
Planners approve permits for retail store, rebuilding boat landing
CHINA – China Planning Board members approved both applications on their Jan. 14 agenda, the one from the town after an unusually complex discussion…
Thurston Park group continues talks on south entrance
CHINA – China’s Thurston Park Committee members spent part of their Jan. 16 meeting talking again about the possibility of opening a southern entrance to the 400-acre park in northeastern China…
Most residents agree with $2 stickers at transfer station
CHINA – China transfer station staff and Palermo representatives on China’s Transfer Station Committee agree that the majority of residents of both towns are cooperative about paying $2 for their 2025 transfer station windshield stickers…
School board discusses major work at school
VASSALBORO – The Jan. 14 Vassalboro School Board workshop and meeting included more discussion of plans for major work on the Vassalboro Community School (VCS) building, a presentation on the Gifted and Talented Program and a discussion of board members’ stipends…
Council repeals public safety department
WINSLOW — In a first reading of the ordinance at the January 13, Winslow town council meeting, council members voted 4-3 to repeal the Winslow Public Safety Department adopted on November 21, 2022, and reinstate the previously separated Police Department and Fire and Rescue Department… by Jonathan Strieff
New librarian at ACB Library
CHINA — The new librarian at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Librarian, in China Village, is Alexis Burbank. She initiated her tenure in October 2024 and is devoted to fostering the library’s growth and development. She has been working diligently on introducing family-friendly activities, including the ongoing 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge…
Proposed Pine Tree subdivision in Palermo – part 2
PALERMO — Holden reports that his committee has gathered over 100 signatures to date on a petition against the approval of the proposed Pine Tree subdivision. To participate in the petition, contact Holden at heholden@fairpoint.net… by Jeanne Marquis
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “I’m walking here! I’m walking here!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is February 6, 2025.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Vassalboro church to hold benefit for California fire victims
VASSALBORO – Members of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) are holding a public supper on Saturday, January 25, to benefit the southern California fire victims. The menu will include baked beans, salads, casseroles, breads and desserts…
EVENTS: Waterville Area Soup Kitchen to hold fundraiser
WATERVILLE – The Waterville Area Soup Kitchen will be holding its first fundraiser on Thursday, March 20, at the Elks Club, on Industrial Street, in Waterville. The event is a tropical themed winter getaway. The doors will open at 5 p.m…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: China Lake ice fishing derby
CHINA – The 6th annual China Lake ice fishing derby will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Cash payouts will be in several categories. Over $10,000 in door prizes. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 and include fishing derby entry and chance for door prizes… and many other local events!
Obituaries
SOUTH CHINA—Melinda “Mindy” G. Lee, 70, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024. She was born on September 7, 1954, a daughter of Milton H. and Jane (Reed) Farrington…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China High Schools – part 1 (new)
CHINA HISTORY — The Town of China had five high schools at various times in the 19th century. The one in China Village lasted into the 20th century; Erskine Academy in South China (next week’s topic) was founded in 1883 and is thriving in 2025… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China elementary schools (Continued into the 20th century)
CHINA HISTORY — As mentioned in previous articles about 19th-century Maine elementary schools, in 1894 the state legislature passed a law that began, “The school districts in all towns in this state are hereby abolished”… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China elementary schools
CHINA HISTORY — What is now the Town of China was settled in 1774, starting on the shores of China Lake, and promptly incorporated as Jones Plantation… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Clinton and Benton School
CLINTON/BENTON HISTORY — This subseries on education is organized by the dates the central Kennebec Valley towns were incorporated, and Clinton, in 1795, was next after Fairfield, in 1788. Therefore the history of education in Clinton, on the east side of the Kennebec River, opposite the northern part of Fairfield, follows the December 2024 articles on Fairfield… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 13, 2025
Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! Email your answer to townline@townline.org or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!
Previous winner: Nichole Bilodeau, W. Gardiner
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Because I spend my summers on Webber Pond, in Vassalboro, I have the chance to fish that lake extensively. In the 35 years my wife and I have summered there, we have caught plenty of fish of many various species: small and largemouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, eels, to name a few…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | Now is the time when many of us are busy ordering seeds. We often end up with many seeds, some new ones we needed or wanted and perhaps a few duplicates of those we have left from past seasons. It is easy to overlook some of these as the indoor and outdoor planting season begins…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | German composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) suffered three major traumas the summer of 1907 – His oldest daughter Maria died from diptheria…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | Good news for those Americans over the age of 50 (and the people who care about them): You now have access to vaccines to stop the spread of pneumococcal disease, or pneumonia…